Environmental Health

UASI Lab Analysis Truck/HAZMAT 3 used to deploy high end equipment during a CBRNE Type response. The HAZMAT Team consists of four (4) full time Environmental Services members as well as eight (8) Team members from various Departments of the County which include Public Works, the Motor Service Center, and Engineering.  All Environmental Staff and HAZMAT Team members are currently certified as NJSP-HMRU HAZMAT 80-Hour Technicians.  The Staff and Team also have some members that are NJSP Tanker or Railcar Specialist trained, along with the advanced NJSP-HMRU CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radioactive, Nuclear, Explosive) Technician trained.

The team has representation on the UASI (Urban Areas Security Initiative) subcommittee and is also a part of the Morris County WOMDAT Team (Weapons of Mass Destruction Assessment Team). This Team is comprised of the Morris County’s Prosecutors Office- Arson/ Environmental Crimes Unit, the Morris County Sheriff’s Department- Protective Services/ Bomb Squad/ K-9 Unit, and the Morris County Division of Public Health- HAZMAT Team.

In Case of an Environmental Emergency, Contact:

Environmental Abuse/Emergencies: http://www.nj.gov/dep/warndep.htm 1-877-WARNDEP

(1-877-927-6337) For all other Emergencies: Dial 9-1-1 or The Morris County Communications Center at (973) 285-2900

The Division of Public Health and the Morris County Municipal Utilities Authority (MCMUA) work hand-in-hand to investigate complaints, enforce Solid Waste Regulations, and inspect solid waste facilities.  With the overall vision of achieving compliance, a considerable amount of time is spent on the investigation, inspection and enforcement process related to the Solid Waste Program, including the inspection of Transfer Stations, Class C Exempt Compost Sites, Class C Compost Sites, and Class B Compost Sites.

Morris County has taken a stance against illegal dumping. The Division of Public Health has designated Enforcement Investigators who conduct random, trail camera surveillance and patrols on major illegal dumpsites county-wide.

If convicted, you can be fined applicable monetary penalties, be subject to loss of driver’s license for a period of six months to a year, forfeiture of vehicles used or intended for use in lawful transportation or disposal of solid waste, and/or community service for up to 90 days. 

To report illegal dumping, call the Morris County Division of Public Health at 973-631-5484 or the NJDEP Hotline at 1-877-WARN DEP. You have the option to remain anonymous. 

• For helpful links, licensing, rules and regulations information, visit the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) page. 
• For more local information and where to find authorized disposal sites, visit Morris County Municipal Utilities Authority
• For the latest updates on Compliance and Enforcement, visit the NJ DEP Compliance and Enforcement page. 

The Morris County Division of Public Health – Environmental Services Unit conducts inspections and enforcement of N.J.A.C. 7:27 on behalf of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection which permits equipment used at Minor/B Sources, Auto Body Shops, and Dry Cleaners.

These CEHA inspections include the assessment of permit applicability and required historical usage records. The Environmental Services Unit additionally responds to citizen complaints related to air quality that include smoke, dust, and odor.

The Office assists the permitted community with compliance issues by providing open communication with facilities and conducting periodic educational seminars related to the Air Quality Program.

Related Links

Permitting Information:

• NJDEP Air Applications and Forms Page
• NJDEP Air General Permit Page
• NJDEP Online Permitting Help
• Air Compliance Advisories
• Permit Email Updates

Boilers:

• Annual Combustion Adjustments
• Technical Manual 1005
• Compliance Advisory: Annual Combustion Adjustment Requirements
• Compliance Advisory Updates: Subscribe

Emergency Generators:

• Air Quality Notifications: Subscribe to EnviroFlash
• Compliance Advisory: Recordkeeping Requirements
• Air Quality Forecast for Emergency Generator
• Recordkeeping Run Log Template(XLS, 17KB)
• Visible Emissions Log Template(PDF, 34KB)
• Does my engine need a permit?(PDF, 155KB)

Air Complaint Information:

• Odor
• Dust
• Smoke
• Idling

Currently, the Division of Public Health- Environmental Services Staff performs noise investigations in response to residential noise complaints and by the request of local health departments.  The Division of Public Health has a Quest Technologies, Type 1, Model 1900 Precision Integrated/ Logging Sound Level Meter with a QC-20 Calibrator and Octave Band capability that is used for noise measurement during investigations in accordance with N.J.A.C. 7:29-2.1 et. seq.  All four (4) of the Environmental Services Staff currently hold Noise Certifications issued by the Rutgers Noise Technical Assistance Center.

Related Links

• NJDEP Noise Information

Morris County provides assistance to local Health Departments through shared service agreements.  Under the agreements, the Division of Public Health lends out the RMD LPA-1 XRF Lead Paint Spectrum Analyzer to local health departments upon request.  Also, the Division of Public Health provides inspection assistance to local health agencies in their Lead Inspection and Risk Assessment process.  Currently, Harding Township, Lincoln Park, Morristown, Rockaway Township, and Hanover Township all have shared service agreements.  Of the Environmental Staff, three (3) have current Lead Licenses under the State of New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services.

Related Links

• NJDHSS Lead Information
• EPA Lead Information
• EPA: Lead in Drinking Water

Pursuant to the County Environmental Health Act (CEHA) (N.J.S.A. 26:3A2-21 et seq.) and as authorized by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (“Department”) the Morris County Division of Public Health performs the following different functions in support of State and Federal Safe Drinking Water regulations: 

• Conduct Sanitary Surveys and Compliance Evaluations of all Non-Community Public Water Systems (NCPWS) within Morris County.
• Inspect /investigate NCPWS as required to appropriately respond to complaints or other indications of potential problems.
• Provide educational assistance to water system owners and operators as necessary for them to effectively manage their systems and protect water supplies.

Related Links

• NJDEP Water Watch
• NJDEP Division of Water Supply and Geoscience 
• EPA Ground Water and Drinking Water
• Water System Classification Information

Documents

• Lead and Copper Reference Guide(PDF, 414KB)
• Important Information About Lead in Drinking Water(PDF, 171KB)
• Initial Public Education Certification Form - Lead Action Level Exceedance(PDF, 455KB)
• Certification Form - Consumer Notice of Lead in Tap Water(PDF, 92KB)
• Sanitary Survey Advisory Letter(PDF, 224KB)
• Inspection Report(PDF, 419KB)
• Public Notification Templates(PDF, 239KB)
• Public Water System Contact Update Form(PDF, 297KB)  

Learn more about hurricane recovery from the New Jersey Department of Health.